What does my child’s PSAT score mean? Defining a Good PSAT Score

5 mins read

What is the PSAT?

Every October, high schools around the world have their 10th and 11th graders take a test called the PSAT/NMSQT. The PSAT is a pre-college standardized test that includes questions on writing, reading comprehension, and math.

The PSAT results come out (generally) in December, causing parents and students alike to ask, “what does this score even mean?” With a strange score scale (a perfect score is a ‘1520’), confusing percentiles, and difficult-to-understand scholarship eligibility directions, the PSAT can bring anxiety to many families.

If your 10th or 11th grade student received their PSAT score lately, read on to learn what their score really means, and the next steps you can consider for your student.


What’s on the PSAT?

Just like the official SAT the PSAT is made up of two overall sections and three subsections. Under the umbrella of Evidence-Based Reading & Writing are two subsections: Reading and Writing.

Reading

  • Number of questions: 47
  • Time: 60 minutes
  • Primary Content: Reading comprehension, vocabulary in content, command of evidence, and analysis ability.

Writing

  • Number of questions: 44
  • Time: 35 minutes
  • Primary Content: Editing ability, vocabulary in context, and understanding of grammar.

The math section accounts for the other half of a student’s score.

Math

  • Number of questions: 48
  • Time: 70 minutes
  • Primary Content: Concepts from Algebra I & I, Geometry, and Trigonometry.

How long does the PSAT take?

Both the PSAT 10 and the PSAT/NMSQT take 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete and are abbreviated versions of the real SAT. These two PSAT tests are formatted in exactly the same way.

Should I take the PSAT 10 or the PSAT/NMSQT?

Sophomores in high school typically take the PSAT 10. In order to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship, you’ll need to take the PSAT/NMSQT as a junior.


Is the PSAT similar to the SAT? What’s the difference?

The Verbal and Math sections of the PSAT are each scored on a 160-760 scale. Overall, the PSAT is scored on a scale of 320-1520. In contrast, each section of the SAT is scored on a 200-800 scale. The overall scale is 400-1600.

Is this a good PSAT score? What will my child get on the SAT?

Estimated Conversion Chart – PSAT to SAT

Note, these numbers are based on previous figures released by the College Board and can change from year-to-year. Additionally, we want to point out that the percentile column refers to where you would rank in relation to the SAT test-taking population, not the general population.

PSAT ScoreProjected SAT ScoreSAT Percentile
1520160099+
1510159099+
1500158099+
1490156099+
1480154099
1470152099
1460150098
1450148097
1440147097
1430146096
1420145096
1410144095
1400143095
1390142094
1380141094
1370141094
1360140093
1350139093
1340138092
1330137091
1320136091
1310135090
1300135090
1290134089
1280132087
1270131087
1260131087
1250130086
1240129085
1230128084
1220127083
1210126082
1200125081
1190124079
1180123078
1170122077
1160121076
1150120074
1140119073
1130118072
1120117070
1110116069
1100114066
1090113064
1080112063
1070111061
1060110059
1050109058
1040108056
1030107054
1020106052
1010106052
1000105051
990104049
980103047
970102045
960101044
95099042
94098040
93098040
92097037
91096035
90094032
89094032
88093030
87091027
86091027
85090026
84089024
83088023
82087021
81085019
80085019
79083016
78082015
77081013
76080012
75079011
7407709
7307608
7207507
7107507
7007406
6907204
6807103
6707003
6606902
6506902

If you are scoring under a 650 on the PSAT, your score is likely in the 1st percentile or lower.

PSAT to SAT Score Conversion – Predict Your SAT Score

If you are not happy with your student’s predicted SAT score based on their initial PSAT result, do not fret!

Many teens take their maiden PSAT voyage during their sophomore year or in the first semester of their junior year. They do so right in the middle of learning important academic concepts in the 10th or 11th grade classroom—essential literary and mathematical material that is tested by the College Board. Therefore, it is little surprise that research shows that students tend to improve their score as they take the PSAT/SAT multiple times.

Repeat SAT-takers see an average gain of roughly 40 points. Those who study utilizing free resources see even greater gains. For example, one study found that students who utilized a preparation tutor for 20 hours saw an average SAT gain of 115 points.

Rest assured that no matter what your PSAT score is today, hard work, test prep, and continued learning in the academic classroom can put you on a pathway toward earning the score of your dreams. 

Andrea Bernal

Admissions consultant for California high schools for 15 years. Currently advisor and educational material specialist at IVY'D College Prep.